Summary: YJ S1 Ep 15. Zatanna is FINALLY here.
Disclaimer: I don't own DC
The team were busy sparring under Black Canary's guidance in the training room. Ever since they took down the Injustice League, Batman had wanted to keep them busy. Heh. Probably just doesn't want us bugging him about any leads on Tornado. Or lack thereof. Dick and Artemis were sparring rather casually before Kaldur knocked Connor to the ground, signaling the end of the team match.
"I must say, everyone. I've really enjoyed being your, uh, den-mother this week. You've all put in good work over the last few days."
"All except for Baywatch there." Dick snickered as Wally sat back in his seat, clearly enjoying the relaxation as well as personal assistance of Shazam.
"Hey, arm broken in combat with the Injustice League, here!" Yeah, right. It's been 3 days and you have super-healing. I think we both know you don't need that cast anymore, lazy-ass. Everyone was interrupted by the Zeta tubes going off. Zatara Zeta'd in before walking over to the console to override access for a guest. Dick watched in confusion as the Zeta tube authorized someone. His eyes widened as he heard the name announced and saw the guest. Holy-is that-
"Zatanna, this is the team. Team, my daughter, Zatanna." Dick remembered her from that night they first met almost like 3 years ago! Sure, they hadn't interacted much in that first meeting, and she obviously didn't know he was Robin at the time, but he still remembered her from the various mentions by Zatara as well as the fact that she was the first girl he was ever really attracted to. And here she was now. Damn, she's hot. I mean, uh, she must be pretty hot in here since the air conditioning isn't working! God, get it together, Grayson. Megan flew down to introduce herself, but Dick beat her to it. He just couldn't help himself.
"Robin! I mean, uh, I'm Robin. She's Megan, and that's Wally, Artemis, Kaldur, and Connor!" Smooth. Real smooth. Kaldur allowed the smallest of smirks to appear on his face as he saw the interaction. He knew it wasn't any of his business, but he was very intrigued to see how Robin would handle his new...interest in the sorceress. God forbid he turn out like Wally...
"Welcome to the cave."
"Uh, thanks." Zatanna was just as nervous as Dick was, although she was doing a far better job of hiding it. Her father had told her stories of the team, and she had always wanted to join since she was their age and had powers of her own. Finally being here was mind-blowing to her. Not to mention the fact that she had been obsessed with the Boy Wonder ever since she was 9 years old and saw him on TV for the first time, taking on Clayface with a cocky smirk and incredible style in his movements. Talking to him here and now was beyond incredible to her.
"So, uh, a-are you joining the team?" Please say yes, please say yes, please say-
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. This is strictly a visit. Though, I am sorry we missed the training. It's something Zatanna could benefit from." Zatara continued to talk with Canary as a dejected Dick continued to stare at Zatanna, and she did the same to him in return, although neither noticed. He was pretty much 100% oblivious to his surroundings until he heard Megan's voice in his head, snapping him out of his hormone-fuelled thoughts.
-Do any of you guys get the feeling that we're still on probation with Zatara?- I mean, yeah? Then again, the League's been trying to baby us without making it seem like they're babying us since day 1, so no surprise there.
-Not just him. I mean, why is Marvel still around?-
-Because we like having him around- Yeah, having a personal butler is pretty damn nice. Though Alfred would beat Billy with his eyes closed and both hands tied behind his back in a contest.
-YOU like having him around cuz he waits on you hand and foot!-
-Your point is?-
-Almost makes one nostalgic for Tornado's tenure as our supervisor- Dick turned to face Kaldur here, and Zatanna noticed the strange hand motions they were doing, almost as if they were speaking without their mouths. Wait, wasn't Megan a martian?
-Yeah, at least he trusted us-
-if you ignore the fact that that tin can nearly got M'ga-ALL of us killed!- Connor made a very exaggerated motion, which solidified Zatanna's theory.
"Are you guys having a psychic conversation? Cuz I can't decide if that's cool or really rude." Wow, great first impression, Boy Blunder! The adults turned to the team at this moment, pausing their own conversation.
"Alright, fine! We were talking about Tornado. It's been a week and NOBODY has told us ANYTHING!"
"The League is searching for Tornado as well as his creator and the other androids that attacked! Batman has made tracking the down his top priority!" Oh, please.
"But you've found none of the above."
"Maybe not yet, but Tornado is a Leaguer. The team is NOT to pursue this." No offense, but even Bruce and the goddamn Batglare couldn't get me to back down, so what chance do you have?
Zatara tried to break the tension, not wanting this insubordination to give his daughter any ideas. "Why don't you all take Zatanna on a...tour of the cave?" Everyone looked for Zatanna, and saw her sitting by Wolf. Dick blushed at this sight for some inexplicable reason. Why is that so hot to me? I seriously need to get a hold of myself right now. If Bats saw this, I would be grounded for, like, ever! Zatanna walked up to the team, and Connor asked Billy to take Wolf out for exercise. Great, no Leaguers around, which means we can finally do things our way!
Dick and the others walked to the hangar, and Zatanna popped next to Dick, dressed in fresh clothing. What the hell?! How did she-magic. Right. That's pretty cool. "We're not really taking a tour, are we?"
"No. We're hunting that robot."
"Yes, we are."
"Wow, out loud and everything."
"Uh, what about the new girl?" Dick REALLY wanted her to stick with them, despite how horribly he knew Zatara and Bruce would take it if they found out the team took his daughter, an untrained CIVILIAN, on a mission.
"I'm sure she won't tell." Right? Please?
"I can't tell. Not if you...kidnap me." Zatanna smirked at Robin, and right then and there, Dick swore he was dreaming. Yeah. She's pretty amazing.
"She's gonna fit in great." The team boarded the Bio-ship, and Zatanna sat next to Robin. He explained the details of the ship, their missions, and other random facts to her, and she seemed excited to say the least. This was the most amazing thing she had ever done: going on a mission to take down evil robots with ROBIN...and others. Although, 'others' were seeming pretty unimportant right now...
"Uh, where are we going?"
"Batman's the World's Greatest Detective, and he's searched for T.O. Morrow in every logical place. If we're gonna do better, we need an illogical solution. A truly dumb idea." Well, here's a thought. Dick smirked and turned to face Wally. "So, Walls, where do YOU suggest we look."
"As a matter of fact..."
The team made their way to Belle Reve to talk with Professor Ivo. Not even joking, this is a pretty good plan. How did Bruce not think of this?! And how did WALLY think of this?! Zatanna watched as the team interrogated Ivo. M'gann tried reading his mind, but to no avail. She's still pretty rusty, isn't she? Zatanna had a thought, but she didn't want to embarrass herself in front of Robin and the team. She decided to try when it was clear nothing was working.
"Trulb tuo S'worrom eurt noitacol!" Wait, what was that?
"Morrow's in a secret underground base, a few meters south of Old Faithful. Wait, why did I-" Everyone stared at Zatanna, who smirked. That was...wow. I'm liking this girl more by the minute.
Back on the Bio-ship, after coordinates were locked in, Dick turned to Zatanna. "So, uh, I'm trying to be all nonchalant here-"
"Why? Be as chalant as you like." Dick looked dazed as he stared at her. Wh-what was I gonna say, again? Fortunately, Artemis was just as curious as him.
"I think we're all trying to get a grasp on your powers. What exactly can you do with your magic?"
"Pretty much anything, as long as I speak it backwards and I have the energy inside me to make it happen. I have limits, way bigger limits than my dad, so I can't do anything too crazy without passing out or getting a wild headache." I mean, that thing with Ivo was pretty epic, and you seem fine. NOT fine in that way-I mean, you ARE pretty fine, but I meant-God I'm pathetic. Dick was so out of it that he didn't notice M'gann's presence in his mind. She grinned as she overheard his thoughts on Zatanna, and, being the sappy matchmaker she was, made a mental note to talk with him about it later. The team landed down in the location Ivo specified soon after, and Dick looked to Zatanna, who was speaking with Kaldur.
"I recommend you stay behind."
"Is that an order?"
"No, of course not. You must do as you see fit."
"Good. Egnahc otni ym wen kool." A puff of smoke covered her and she emerged standing in a magician's outfit. Dick once again stared at her, with absolutely 0 regard for his surroundings. Wally noticed his reddened face as well as his gaze and snickered. Given the amount of times Robin bugged him about Artemis, he was DEFINITELY going to bring this up to torture Dick later.
"Hey, bro. Her face is up there."
"Sh-shut up, Wally."
The team made their way to the base, and Dick brought up his holo-map to scan the surroundings. He notified Kaldur of the nearby bunker, but the team was ambushed by Tornado. Crap! Uh, hi RT! Wait, what? Dick and the team noticed a message blown into the sand, telling them to 'Play Dead', and he looked to the others, all nodding in agreement. Connor and Kaldur jumped at him, only to be blown back. Wally tried to create his own tornado, but RT sucked the wind out of his vortex, sending him toppling to the ground where he collided with M'gann. Dick and Arty flung projectiles at the android, only for them to be redirected to the pair. Tornado then grabbed Zatanna's throat mid-spell before seemingly choking her and dropping her to the floor. Before he could do anything else, a new android appeared. Great, another one? Why the hell are there so many of these guys?! Dick and the others stood up as the new android, Red Volcano, spoke.
"Really, brother? A message in the sand? Pathetic." The droid manipulated the earth to destroy the message as he sent a boulder flying at the team. Dick and Zatanna jumped out of the way to just barely dodge the attack. Holy-is she alright?!
-Zatanna?-
-I'm fine, but Tornado's getting away!-
-Is he abandoning us?-
-I don't believe that!- Sure seems that way! The team turned their attention back to Volcano as Wally ran up to him. The droid grabbed his punch and flung him back to the ground. Megan and Connor leapt at him, but he crushed them with stone pillars, sending them falling to the floor. He then tore open a hole in the earth to send Kaldur and Arty falling to their deaths. Artemis used a grapple arrow to save herself and Kaldur. Seeing as how none of this was working, Dick leapt forward, hurling a birdarang right at his head. The drone caught the birdarang perfectly. Well, how do ya like- The explosion from the birdarang did nothing to phase him. -that.
"Tornado's memory files and my superior processor allow me to anticipate your every move. You are nothing compared to me." Zatanna mumbled a spell to blindfold his eyes, allowing Connor and Kaldur to attack him.
"Tornado never knew my moves!"
"And I've bet you got some good ones." Did I seriously just say that?! What the hell has come over me?! Jeez, I'm turning into Wally over here! God please help me cuz only you know how badly I need it. Both Zatanna and Dick blushed deeply. "Uh, s-sorry, that may have come off a little too Wally."
Zatanna giggled. "I don't mind!" Wow. Just wow. Who else would just rub off that pathetic pick-up line? This girl is literally perfect. Dick grinned before the fight brought them back to reality. The android had awakened a dormant volcano and Wally's eyes went wide.
-He just activated a stage 1 volcanic eruption. If it gets to stage 4, kiss the hemisphere goodbye!- Oh, that's not good. Volcano dragged Miss M to the fiery pits to weaken her, and Zatanna created duplicates of KF to confuse the android. The real Wally ran in to save M'gann as the duplicates distracted Volcano. Before anyone could do anything else, a blast of water knocked the android into the fire. Dick turned to Kaldur.
"Nice hit!"
"It was not mine! Look!" The team turned to see Tornado and the other two androids fighting Volcano. Soooo they're on our side now? Dick watched as the androids sacrificed themselves to destroy Volcano before Connor saved RT. Zatanna watched in awe as the team guided Tornado to funnel the unsafe smog out of the atmosphere. Once the volcano had cooled down, they went back into the lab to reinstall Tornado's voicebox and repair his damaged legs. Zatanna once again looked on in surprise as Dick easily repaired the robot and the team prepared to head back, as if nothing major had happened. She was starting to learn just how underprepared she was compared to everyone else. Robin was a month younger than her from what her father told her, and even he was doing things that she couldn't even achieve in her dreams. If she had any chance of ever joining the team, she would seriously need to step up her game. Zatanna was knocked out of her thoughts when Robin somewhat hesitantly tapped her shoulder.
"So, good kidnapping?"
"Yeah. Best ever." Dick smiled.
"First of many I hope." Zatanna's smile dropped as she turned back.
"If my dad doesn't ground me for life." Dick frowned once he remembered just how overprotective Bruce said Giovanni was. He really hoped that this wouldn't be the last he saw of her because he was really enjoying her company.
Once the team landed back in the hangar, Zatara went on a rampage. He yelled so much that even Connor flinched a bit in discomfort. Batman eventually put a hand on his shoulder and got him to calm down, but not before glaring quite ferociously at Robin. Once everyone departed, Dick turned to Zatanna.
"Uh, sorry about that whole thing."
"It was my idea. Besides, it's fine. He grounds me for life like once a month." Dick smiled as he heard that. Bruce did the same to him whenever he pulled one of his ridiculous pranks on him.
"So, uh, will I see you again?"
"Maybe, if I get him to calm down enough."
"I'd really like it if you came over more." Dick caught himself as they both turned red. "I-I mean it's nice having another teammate around, y'know? The more the merrier and all that!" Zatanna smirked.
"Yeah, it's-" She was interrupted by Giovanni calling for her. They said their goodbyes as Dick watched her leave. Great job, Grayson. You just HAD to fall for the girl who's dad now hates you and can turn you into a frog if you do anything stupid. Bruce walked up to Dick, his glare very present.
"Uh, sorry about...all this. But I did help bring Tornado in, and destroy the other bots, and kinda save the world from a volcanic calamity." Bruce glared harder as he said that, and Dick flinched a little bit.
"Don't ever do something like this again. You are lucky Zatara is an old friend of mine, or else he would have turned you into a literal pig for taking his daughter out on a dangerous, unauthorized mission."
"Yeah...sorry about that."
"That being said, good work today." Dick smiled as they continued to walk to the Zeta tubes. Once they made their way to the Batcave, Bruce turned to him, smirking at the dreamy look in his eyes. "I take it you enjoyed spending time with Zatanna?" Dick's eyes widened as he looked to his mentor.
"Wha-I-n-no! I mean, yeah I did, but not in the way that you-" Bruce actually laughed at that.
"Just be sure to tell me before you do anything...reckless. I don't want Zatara taking my head along with yours." Dick muttered random gibberish under his breath as he walked upstairs. Alfred, who was busy at the medical station cleaning up, turned to Bruce.
"So, Master Dick has finally taken an interest in women? With all due respect, I hope he doesn't turn out like you did, Master Bruce." Bruce glared at him before speaking.
"He was like this when he first met Zatanna a few years ago, too. I don't have an issue with it so long as he's responsible. Giovanni may have other thoughts, though."
"Well, it appears the young sorceress has caught the eye of our young Master."
"I just hope I won't have to give him...that talk anytime soon."
I know I said double upload yesterday, but this was the longest chapter yet so I couldn't fit it in with my time-frame. I had a fun time writing it, though, so I hope you enjoyed it too. This was quite possibly the most entertaining one to write yet. I noticed I didn't include too much of Zatanna's thoughts, so I'll try to do better with that going forward. Anyways, the next 2-3 chapters will be a deep-dive into Dick's thoughts following the simulation, with a bunch of just bonding fluff between him, the team, and certain Leaguers. After this set of chapters is pretty much just more Zatanna, since she joins the team and all that stuff happens. Anyways, feel free to review and comment thoughts or suggestions. Next chapter will be up soon.